Preparing for the Strengthened "Environmental Safety Management Standards for Children's Activity Spaces"
Gwanak District in Seoul (District Mayor Park Junhee) will conduct a preliminary inspection of children's activity spaces in the area ahead of the full implementation of the strengthened "Environmental Safety Management Standards for Children's Activity Spaces," which will take effect in January next year. According to the Environmental Health Act, facilities primarily used by children under the age of 13-such as daycare centers, kindergartens, elementary schools, and indoor and outdoor playgrounds-must meet standards for hazardous substances, including lead (Pb) and phthalates.
A district office official is measuring the heavy metal content in the paint used on the indoor walls of a daycare center. Provided by Gwanak District Office.
Under the revised environmental safety management standards from 2021, the permissible lead content in indoor and outdoor paints and finishing materials will be significantly tightened to 90 mg/kg or less starting next year, and a new standard for phthalate content in flooring materials (0.1% or less) will be introduced. Since April, the district has been the only one in Seoul to conduct preliminary inspections applying the strengthened standards to 80 local daycare centers. This proactive measure aims to minimize exposure to environmental hazardous substances, taking into account the behavioral characteristics of infants and toddlers, whose main activity space is the floor.
The inspections were conducted by district office officials who visited the sites in person, collecting samples and conducting detailed analyses in cooperation with the Seoul Institute of Health and Environment. Facilities found to exceed the standards will be prioritized for next year's environmental improvement projects. The preliminary inspections will continue through the end of this year, and the district plans to expand legal guidance and detailed inspections to kindergartens, elementary schools, and other facilities that request a preliminary inspection. Applications can be made to the Green Environment Division of Gwanak District Office (02-879-6267) or by email (moonham@ga.go.kr).
Through this proactive preliminary inspection initiative, the district has saved a total of 22 million won in budget, which will be reinvested into next year's environmental improvement projects. Park Junhee, Mayor of Gwanak District, stated, "Environmental safety management is an essential measure for the healthy and safe growth of children," and added, "We will take the lead in creating an environment where children, the future of Gwanak, can live safely and free from hazardous substances."
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